SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Report for October 2022

SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OCTOBER 2022

Introduction

2 Cases in October

October Report

by Dr. Ndambiri Ephantus

1 Big Cat

1 Rhino Case

So far, October has been the driest month this year. Savannahs and many seasonal streams have dried up, and the flow of major rivers within the ecosystem has dramatically reduced. Due to scarcity of resources exacerbated by the prevailing drought, the health of wildlife, particularly herbivores, has declined. Predators on the other hand seem to be thriving as their prey base is very broad due to the presence of migratory wildebeest The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 2 cases in October. The 1st case involved a lion that was gored on the left knee by a buffalo while the 2nd case entailed the post-release monitoring of white rhinos translocated from Meru National Park to Partakilat Rhino Sanctuary, Maasai Mara. The 7 rhinos, comprising 2 males and 5 females, have settled well in their new home.

Acknowledgement

We greatly appreciate Elizabeth Scarlet for generously sponsoring the operation of the Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Our gratitude also goes out to the conservation partners within the ecosystem who have contributed to the success of veterinary interventions in one way or another

Case Details

Date Species Area Found Reason for Intervention Outcome

25-Oct 22 Lion

Post-release monitoring of white rhinos translocated from Meru National Park Task successful

Maasai Mara National Reserve Natural Causes Gored on the left knee by a buffalo Successfully treated 14-Oct 22 to 22-Oct 22 Rhino Partakilat Rhino Sanctuary Technical case

October 2022

Lion Natural Causes Maasai Mara National Reserve

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The lion was found lying near the Mara River with members of its pride close by. The lion had been gored on the left knee by a buffalo. The injured lion was darted with 600 mgs Ketamine and 8 mgs Medetomidine on the right gluteal muscle. It was completely immobilized 10 minutes later. The lion was blindfolded and placed in right lateral recumbency. The wound’s edges had begun to thicken indicating that the injury was more than 4 days old. No maggots were seen. The wound was disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. Simple interrupted chromic catgut sutures were used to appose the wound edges leaving a drainage fenestrae at the inner lower thigh. The suture line was infiltrated with Tetracycline wound powder and Tetracycline wound spray. 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 30 mgs Dexamethasone were injected intramuscularly. 40 mgs Ivermectin was also injected subcutaneously. The lion was revived about 1 hour post darting with 15 mgs Atipamezole injected into the neck muscles and 25.5 mgs Yohimbine intravenously. It got up 20 minutes post reversal and walked away sluggishly.

Prognosis

The lion has a good prognosis, it is expected to heal completely since there wasn’t any muscle tear

The Sector Warden informed the Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit of this injured lion.

Post-Release Monitoring of the Founder White Rhino Population in Partakilat Rhino Sanctuary

from 14th October 2022 to 22nd October 2022

Partakilat Rhino Sanctuary, a private sanctuary in Transmara overlooking the Mara Triangle, received its first batch of rhinos (2 females and a male) on 22/7/2022 from Meru National Park.

The 3 candidates wandered extensively in the virgin rhino sanctuary in efforts to discover and establish harbors. The 2 females were found together on the 3rd day post-release and by the 7th day, all three rhinos had banded together.

According to the initial ecological assessment, the Sanctuary was anticipated to have a founder population of 7 individuals. The initial translocation exercise was geared toward attaining 40% of this population with good adaptation. Following successful acclimatization of the initial translocated individuals, an additional 4 rhinos (3 females and a 1 male) were translocated from Meru National Park to the Sanctuary on 14/10/2022. The release area was the same as the first batch, and all of them begun exploring their new territory postrelease. The first batch of rhinos, henceforth referred to as ‘the Natives’, had banded together and always foraged as a group. They had been in sanctuary for slightly over 2.5 months, and they appeared to have established harbors, wallowing points and discovered the location of all the waterholes and salt licks. The newcomers were initially shy and spent most of the time in the thickets. .

Post release Monitoring

Post release monitoring commenced immediately after the release of the new arrivals. The rhinos were monitored by the Veterinary Unit for a period of 9 days, this was complemented by mandatory monitoring of the rhinos on foot at least twice a day, during the early morning as from six o’clock and late evening as from five o’clock, by the rhino security and monitoring teams. The data gathered by the monitoring teams was recorded in a Green Book – the official document provided by KWS for rhino monitoring.

Pairing

The new arrivals wandered within the Sanctuary on the first day and by the second day grouping was realized. The two females, henceforth referred to as ‘the Nines’, formed one pair while the others 2 rhinos (a couple) henceforth referred as ‘the Threes’ formed the other pair. These links are thought to have been easily established post-release because the individuals were in similar crashes during capture at the donor site. The Nines were in a group of 4 while the Threes were in a group of 5. This scenario of initial grouping followed by post release pairing is thought to have played a big role in quick settling of these individuals within the Sanctuary.

Grouping

The three groups continued to mingle individually but by the 4th day post-release, the first crash of 5 individuals was recorded as they grazed together at the mid sanctuary area. These included the Threes and the Natives. A similar grouping was recorded on the 7th day comprising the Nines and the Natives near the southern border of the Sanctuary. On the 9th day post-release, all 7 individuals were seen within the same locality towards sanctuary’s southern border. All seemed settled and accommodative of one another even though 2 males were present within the population. This is thought to have been achieved by careful selection of the male individuals. The bigger male in the Native group is older than the other male in the Threes group by more than 3 years. Therefore, the older male is the dominant bull. It is expected the pairing will continue as individuals interact with frequent new unions and disunions.

Water Points

There are four manmade water points strategically dug out within the sanctuary and one seemingly natural spring. The spring is hardly utilized, and this is thought to be due to its proximity to a busy road.

Sanctuary Utilization

It was established that the Nines preferred the western border of the Sanctuary near the Sanctuary’s main entrance. The Threes preferred the eastern border while the Natives had established a habour near the northern border towards eastern corner. The arrival of the Nines and the Threes affected movement of the Natives since they didn’t move as extensively within the sanctuary but rather remained within their harbor and mid Sanctuary. All individuals remaining calm and rested during the day and grazed heavily during the night. Their presence throughout the sanctuary was seen through footprints, grazing patches, trails, watering at different water points, wallowing/mud births visitation, salt licking and pooing in new and old latrine sites.

Monitoring Data

Rhino monitoring data was recorded in a Green Book every morning and evening. The book has Rhino Field Data Collection Sheets which are logged into the Kenya Rhino Management System. These observations are relayed daily every morning and evening. The Natives were noted to be in remarkable body condition in comparison to the newcomers. However, the newcomers are expected to put on weight quickly as they settle down given the sanctuary’s abundant grassy fields.

Other wild animals within the sanctuary

There are several wild animals within the Sanctuary. The only difference since the Natives were introduced was the absence of 2 adult male buffalos. One was said to have moved out of Sanctuary on its own when the Sanctuary’s gate was under repair while the other was translocated out of the Sanctuary after posing a danger to rhino monitoring rangers. Wildlife found in the sanctuary includes 5 common zebras, 2 warthogs, 1 topi, 1 waterbuck, 2 bushbucks and a tortoise. Different species of snakes have been spotted although they are yet to be identified. This is not an exhaustive account of wildlife withing the Sanctuary and as rhino monitoring continues, more animals will be spotted and identified.

Mineral supplementation

The new arrivals were spotted at the strategically located salt lick site by the 5th day post-release. Salt is vital for essential bodily functions including muscle & nervous function, water balance, proper development & functioning of circulatory and skeletal systems.

Invasive/Poisonous Plants

Distinct areas have been observed with outgrowths of unwanted invasive plant namely Mauritius thorns (Caesalpinia decapetala) and the poisonous plant Datura (Datura stramonium). It is recommended that these plants are weeded out immediately and disposed of accordingly to prevent spread and/or toxicity.